BETHESDA, Md. (7News) — Thousands of people gathered in Montgomery County on Friday as Maryland Gov. Wes Moore kicked off the 2026 Scotland Juneteenth Heritage Festival, billed as the largest Juneteenth celebration in Maryland and the DMV.
WATCH OPENING CEREMONY BELOW:
The festival at Cabin John Regional Park in Bethesda marks the start of a day-long celebration honoring Juneteenth and the historic Black community of Scotland, one of Montgomery County’s oldest African American communities.
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Speaking before thousands gathered, Moore said freedom requires constant effort and community action.
“Freedom is necessary, a true freedom that each and every one of you continue to push and work towards, knowing that freedom is the work of the community,” Moore said.
Moore went on to criticize the current Trump administration, saying Americans are witnessing attacks on democratic institutions.
“Despite the atrocities that we are seeing, despite the fact that we are watching our democracy trying to be robbed in front of us in broad daylight, despite the fact that we have a federal administration who is trying to use the Constitution like it’s a suggestion box,” Moore said. “Take all that stuff right, but then think for a second. Imagine having a conversation with William Dove, explaining to him how difficult our day was. Think about that for a second. Think about what it would be like going to Mr. Dove, I and being able to tell him, ‘let me tell you what the president tweeted today.”
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore in Bethesda for the opening ceremony of the 2026 Scotland Juneteenth Heritage Festival on Friday, June 19, 2026. (Joe Ball/7News)
Dove was a formerly enslaved man who became one of the first Black landowners in Potomac, Maryland.
“In these moments we will not shrink, we will not benefit, we will not blink, we will not cower, we will walk with anyone, but we will bow to no one,” Moore added.
Organizers said the festival celebrates freedom, culture, history, and community while highlighting the preservation of Scotland’s heritage.
“Today, here in Scotland, we are writing another chapter. So, on this Juneteenth, let us celebrate. Let us celebrate the progress we have made,” one of the faculty members of the Scotland Juneteenth Heritage Festival said.
